They appeared before Woking magistrates charged with making false claims on forms.

Following the cases Surrey Heath Council issued statements saying the prosecutions were in line with its zero tolerance policy on benefit fraud.

The council said Jacqueline Crowhurst, of Bracknell Road, Old Dean, Camberley, had been convicted of failing to tell the council of a change in her circumstances and making false representations.

Its benefit department discovered that she received more than £41,000 in death grants, four monthly pension payments totalling £3,154.59 and a final pension payment of £4,534.74 from her late estranged husband’s employers.

A council spokeswoman said: “Failure to declare her true circumstances to the council’s benefit section resulted in the cancellation of her housing and council tax benefit claims.

“Upon a reassessment taking into account the previously undisclosed circumstances, it was ascertained that Mrs Crowhurst had received an overpayment of £2,565.90.”

She had repaid the money owing to the council but the spokeswoman added that the court had viewed the matter as “serious”.

It conditionally discharged Crowhurst for a year and ordered her to pay the council’s costs of £1,711.25.

Angela Skrzypczak, of Southway, Camberley, admitted three counts of dishonestly making a false representation to obtain housing and council tax benefit.

She was also conditionally discharged for a year and told to pay £350 of the council’s costs.

The council spokeswoman said this case stemmed from an anonymous tip-off to the benefit section in May last year.

It claimed there were undeclared residents living with Skrzypczak and she was receiving undeclared income from them.

The spokeswoman added: “The housing and council tax benefit was calculated on the basis that she was in receipt of income support and had only one dependent child residing with her, whereas her non-dependent son, who was working and contributing to the household, was also in residence.”

Two forms submitted after January last year contained false information and Skrzypczak signed a third form also giving incorrect information when benefit officials visited her home in October.

The spokeswoman added: “A letter was received from the woman after this visit indicating that her non-dependent son would be moving back with her.”

Her benefits were recalculated and it was found Skrzypczak had been overpaid by £1,341.60, which has been repaid in full.

Surrey Heath investigations manager Julia Greenfield said: “Residents of the borough can rest assured that the council remains firmly committed to its anti-fraud policy, protecting the public purse and making sure that customers are receiving benefit correctly.”